AP Biology Syllabus
8/5/09

AP BIOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTION

Area
Chapter in Text
Assessment
AP labs
Targeted completion date
I. Molecules and Cells




A. Chemistry of Life (11 days)


1: Introduction
2: Chemistry of life
3: Organic molecules
6: ATP, enzymes

2 Tests and weekly essays
1. Diffusion and osmosis


9/22/09
B. Cell Structure and Function
(15 days)

4. Cell structure & function
5. Cell membranes
9. Cell cycle & reproduction
15. Gene regulation
21. Viruses and bacteria
22. Protists
41. Homeostasis

Test and weekly essays
2. Enzyme catalysis

3. Mitosis and meiosis

10/14/09
C. Cellular Energetics (12 days)
7. Photosynthesis
8. Cell respiration


Unit exam and weekly essays



4. Plant pigments

5.Cell respiration



11/2/09

Unit I subtotal: 25% of class time
13 chapters
4 tests
7 essays

5 labs and write ups
11/2/09
II. Heredity and Evolution




A. Heredity (12 days)
10. Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
11. Observing Patterns in Inherited Traits
12. Chromosomes and Human Inheritance
Test and weekly essays
6. Molecular biology



11/19/09
B. Molecular Genetics (14 days)
13. DNA Structure and Function
14. From DNA to Protein
15. Controls over Genes
16. Studying and Manipulating Genomes
Test and weekly essays
7. Genetics of organisms
12/11/09

C. Evolutionary biology (12 days)


17. Evidence of Evolution
18. Processes of Evolution


Unit exam and weekly essays



8. Population genetics and evolution



1/7/10

Unit II. Subtotal: 25% of class time
9 chapters
3 tests
6 essays

3 labs and write ups
1/7/10
III. Organisms and Populations




  1. Ecology (15 days)

45. Population Ecology
46. Community Structure and Biodiversity
47. Ecosystems
49. Human Impact on the Biosphere
Test and weekly essays
12. Dissolved oxygen and primary productivity
1/29/10
B. Structure and function of plants and animals (48 days)
48. The Biosphere
30. Plant Reproduction
31. Plant Development
32. Animal Tissues and Organ Systems
33. Neural Control
34. Sensory Perception
35. Endocrine Control
36. Structural Support and Movement
37. Circulation
38. Immunity
39. Respiration
40. Digestion and Human Nutrition
41. Maintaining the Internal Environment
42. Animal Reproductive Systems
43. Animal Development
3 tests and weekly essays
Supp: Plant dissections


Supp: Dissections—specimens of 10 phylla


Supp: Dissection of sheep brain


Supp: Dissection of pregnant cow uterus


10. Physiology of the circulatory system
4/16/10
C. Diversity of organisms (10 days)



19. Organizing Information about Species
20. Life’s Origin and Early Evolution
23. The Land Plants
24. Fungi
25. Animal Evolution—Invertebrates
26. Animal Evolution—Chordates
27. Plants and Animals—Common Challenges
28. Plant Tissues
29. Plant Nutrition and Transport




Unit exam and weekly essays



11. Animal Behavior



9. Transpiration



5/9/10

Unit III. Subtotal: 50% of class time

AP Exam

29 chapters
5 tests
12 essays

4 labs and write ups
5/9/10

Monday, 5/10/09
8 AM